Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fly-Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:08 PM
Thundercatcher Thundercatcher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 909
Default fall fly fishing

Do trout take flies this time of year. I don't seem to see any jumping anymore. Also there are no flies around this time of year.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:13 PM
npauls's Avatar
npauls npauls is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Lethbridge, Alberta
Posts: 4,060
Default

There is way more underwater bugs then there ever will be top water. You can fish streamers and nymphs all year round where dries are used at certain times only.

Go chuck some nymphs or streamers and see what you can find.

I rarely chuck dries because I am terrible at it and usually turn myself back to nymphs in a hurry.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:13 PM
BGSH BGSH is offline
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Alberta
Posts: 5,385
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thundercatcher View Post
Do trout take flies this time of year. I don't seem to see any jumping anymore. Also there are no flies around this time of year.
Of course they do, lol, your funny man, think about it, flies can duplicate many different things, this time of year, back swimmers, boatman and minnow patterns are all year round, next time you go to the lake take a few minutes go to the shoreline and check out what you see in the water it should help you out a lot man, how is the fly casting going???&?&?&
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:20 PM
Ronbill Ronbill is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sherwood Park
Posts: 199
Default

Are you kidding me.....some of the best..or rather most pleasurable fly fishing on Alberta's east slope streams is late season with no crowds. Hatches of, albeit small sized to tiny, blue-winged olive mayflies happen at this time of the year - the more grey and overcast the skies the, better. That's right I'm talking about cutthroat trout on dry flies in October.
The best part is that the only people you see are those searching for elk and other four-legged game.

Let me know where you are located and I'll tell you where to go
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:20 PM
Thundercatcher Thundercatcher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 909
Default

Haven't been fly fishing at all as of late. Maybe I will get into it more next year
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:28 PM
BeeGuy BeeGuy is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: down by the river
Posts: 11,428
Default

Decent hatch of tiny (~4mm) midges on the Bow yesterday, and saw some rising fish.

Not sure what the risers were taking.

I'd be tossing a 5" whitish streamer, but thats just me. Depends where you're fishing.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:30 PM
BeeGuy BeeGuy is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: down by the river
Posts: 11,428
Default

There are aquatics that will hatch during cold weather.

In other parts of the country I have seen mid-winter stoneflies and caddis hatching. Both were very dark coloured and 10mm.

I can't speak about this area from experience, but I bet it's the same.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:33 PM
BGSH BGSH is offline
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Alberta
Posts: 5,385
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thundercatcher View Post
Haven't been fly fishing at all as of late. Maybe I will get into it more next year
LOL then why you asking if trout take flies this time of year, come onnnn Kevin, do not get me going and get out there and enjoy yourself before the lakes freeze up or close, not that much wind for the next week and no snow, get out man and practice your casting.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:38 PM
Thundercatcher Thundercatcher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 909
Default

Well, I was going to get out and fly fish, but was Sauer today and had no bites at all , I was fishing with powerbait. As being new to fly fishing, I thought they might not bite at this time of year. But now hearing these replys I think I will got out and get some practice.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-21-2011, 09:48 PM
Ronbill Ronbill is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sherwood Park
Posts: 199
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thundercatcher View Post
Well, I was going to get out and fly fish, but was Sauer today and had no bites at all , I was fishing with powerbait. As being new to fly fishing, I thought they might not bite at this time of year. But now hearing these replys I think I will got out and get some practice.
If I wasn't out shooting ducks and geese and bow hunting mulie's right now I'd go with you with a hand full of flyrods. hmmmm tough decision.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-21-2011, 10:31 PM
wildcat111 wildcat111 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 712
Default

i kill them all winter long on a size 18 haresear nymph and come march and april add a prince nymph or a red wire worm. always have a ton of success
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-21-2011, 10:37 PM
Ronbill Ronbill is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sherwood Park
Posts: 199
Default

And bead head prince, copper johns and pheasant tail nymphs too - but don't tell anyone.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-23-2011, 10:26 AM
brianscott brianscott is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 540
Default

# 20 BWO nuff said.

Fish were caught yesterday, cold, windy, overcast, and sometimes raining...still eating dries





__________________
SOON YOU WILL COME TO KNOW,
WHEN THE BULLET HITS THE BONE
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-25-2011, 09:25 AM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,049
Default

As everyone has stated you can pick fish all year round on flies. I have been trying to get a fish on the dry every month, December still elludes me. We have October Caddis, Winter Stones aka Skwalas, and countless midge hatches around 6C typically. All of which can be fished dry. There are many fly anglers that fish all year round in Calgary, it's doable to about -10C.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-25-2011, 03:40 PM
BeeGuy BeeGuy is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: down by the river
Posts: 11,428
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayhad View Post
As everyone has stated you can pick fish all year round on flies. I have been trying to get a fish on the dry every month, December still elludes me. We have October Caddis, Winter Stones aka Skwalas, and countless midge hatches around 6C typically. All of which can be fished dry. There are many fly anglers that fish all year round in Calgary, it's doable to about -10C.
How do you stop the guides from freezing up at those temps?
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 10-25-2011, 03:42 PM
BonkerMan BonkerMan is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BeeGuy View Post
How do you stop the guides from freezing up at those temps?
I have Fab'd up a heater to my guides.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-25-2011, 06:41 PM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,049
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BeeGuy View Post
How do you stop the guides from freezing up at those temps?
I don't but I have a solution, every dozen casts or so dip your rod in the water, ice will melt off in under 30 seconds. Yes you will get more water on you rod than just stripping line, but you now have a solution to remove that ice.

When you get into "unfishable" is when you leader get's a thin layer of ice on it, it's a crystaline beacon to fish to stay away.

There are chemical methods, but i don't want anything touching my fly lines, or graphite for that mater... most use some sort of petroleum based spray or vaseline

Last edited by Jayhad; 10-25-2011 at 06:42 PM. Reason: spelling mistake
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 10-25-2011, 07:06 PM
BeeGuy BeeGuy is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: down by the river
Posts: 11,428
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayhad View Post
I don't but I have a solution, every dozen casts or so dip your rod in the water, ice will melt off in under 30 seconds. Yes you will get more water on you rod than just stripping line, but you now have a solution to remove that ice.

When you get into "unfishable" is when you leader get's a thin layer of ice on it, it's a crystaline beacon to fish to stay away.

There are chemical methods, but i don't want anything touching my fly lines, or graphite for that mater... most use some sort of petroleum based spray or vaseline
I was running into this problem fishing in the morning shade this week, and was trying to find a solution. Tried the sticking the rod in the water trick, but it's super slow once the ice is >1mm thick.

Just hiked upstream a bit and fished in the sun. Problem solved.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10-25-2011, 07:41 PM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,049
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BeeGuy View Post
I was running into this problem fishing in the morning shade this week, and was trying to find a solution. Tried the sticking the rod in the water trick, but it's super slow once the ice is >1mm thick.
you are totally right, you do have to be on top of it, if it gets thick its to late. I guess you could just accept ice happens, take the time to rinse it, or break it off with your fingers in the cold; while pondering on how much better breaking ice off your rod is than working or being inside.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 10-25-2011, 07:43 PM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,049
Default

BrianScott, that first picture is really good dude, nice fish. I love the colours on both the leaves and rainbow.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 10-25-2011, 10:36 PM
scel scel is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 521
Default

I have had some of my best nymph fishing of the year this October. My 2 flies of choice are #8 stonefly nymph OR #8 san juan with a #16 bead-head hares ear.

I have found the Bow river trout to be following text book nymphing: work the differing current seams. The fatties can be found in the deeper pools, but still working current seams and the end of runs into slower pools.

I find a potential zone, give it 7-10 casts then move on to the next potential lie. I also try the same zone on my walk back down the river.

I have been averaging about 7-10 fish over the course of 3 hours.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-25-2011, 10:50 PM
commieboy commieboy is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 408
Default

Got out today and had 15 fish in 4 hours, including a good sized brown, whitey and rainbow.

Scel, you outlined the methodology perfectly in your post above. I opted for a zebra midge under a prince nymph, though. I like going light. All of my fish were on the zebra.

From around 3:30 to 5:30, dry fly action is steady if you're in the right place. Choose your fly wisely. They're picky right now.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-25-2011, 11:16 PM
scel scel is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 521
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by commieboy View Post
Got out today and had 15 fish in 4 hours, including a good sized brown, whitey and rainbow.

Scel, you outlined the methodology perfectly in your post above. I opted for a zebra midge under a prince nymph, though. I like going light. All of my fish were on the zebra.

From around 3:30 to 5:30, dry fly action is steady if you're in the right place. Choose your fly wisely. They're picky right now.
Cheers.

I get a consistent 50/50 ratio of catches on the stonefly vs. hare's ear. My second choice for the hare's ear is a copper john. I find it really interesting that you have not caught anything on the prince nymph: it is the one pattern that has not produced any fish for me in the late season.

You have inspired me to try a little lighter flies next time. I am thinking a #14 hare's ear top and a #16/18 zebra midge or copper john.

Are you using a split shot? I have found a little extra weight helpful for those short deep pools where the big fish are sitting, but I feel that it affects the float.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 10-25-2011, 11:50 PM
commieboy commieboy is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 408
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by scel View Post
Cheers.

I get a consistent 50/50 ratio of catches on the stonefly vs. hare's ear. My second choice for the hare's ear is a copper john. I find it really interesting that you have not caught anything on the prince nymph: it is the one pattern that has not produced any fish for me in the late season.

You have inspired me to try a little lighter flies next time. I am thinking a #14 hare's ear top and a #16/18 zebra midge or copper john.

Are you using a split shot? I have found a little extra weight helpful for those short deep pools where the big fish are sitting, but I feel that it affects the float.
Your proposed set up sounds good. I find the hare's ear much more productive than the prince lately.

I use the smallest microsplit for this set up, just to help get it down, and I haven't found the drift is affected too much. I usually have it about 4 inches above my first fly and then I go about a foot and a half between the two flies. I would say the full length from leader to the last fly is about 11 feet.

I don't use thingymabobbers on this set up since they need to be attached in the thick part of the leader. Because the flies are so light, the indicator has to be on the tippet portion of the leader so that the flies have a taut connection to the indicator. I use indicator yarn since I can tie it on to any point of the tippet. I'll typically use 5X fluoro. 5X only because it allows the flies to sink quickly. I think you could get away with 4X, though.

I've been having such great success with the Zebra that I haven't even bothered with the Copper John, and the Prince was more to add some weight to get the midge down. I think the Hare's ear and Copper John would be deadly.

I picked up a few 20"+ browns over the summer using a similar light set up.

Best of luck to you. Let me know how you fare.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 09-18-2012, 03:54 AM
paull64 paull64 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Lloydminster,AB
Posts: 1
Default Looking for spots near Lloydminster

I live in Lloydminster, where can I find some quality places to try a few flies nearby? Also wondering about boat launches for tjhe Red Deer River.

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 09-18-2012, 07:54 AM
Lornce's Avatar
Lornce Lornce is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,663
Default

Actually they take flies all year long. Love the fall for fly fishing, its cooler and there are fewer people fishing.

__________________
Often I have been exhausted on trout streams, uncomfortable, wet, cold, briar scarred, sunburned, mosquito bitten,
but never, with a fly rod in my hand have I been in a place that was less than beautiful.

My blog - casting on the waters

fishing regulations and facts on fish handling
Fishing Regulations
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 09-18-2012, 09:36 AM
MLayden MLayden is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 117
Default

Winter Stones and Skwala's are completely different...time to refresh up on your entomology!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayhad View Post
As everyone has stated you can pick fish all year round on flies. I have been trying to get a fish on the dry every month, December still elludes me. We have October Caddis, Winter Stones aka Skwalas, and countless midge hatches around 6C typically. All of which can be fished dry. There are many fly anglers that fish all year round in Calgary, it's doable to about -10C.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 09-18-2012, 08:17 PM
Flieguy's Avatar
Flieguy Flieguy is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kananaskis
Posts: 2,612
Default

#8 Chernobyl ant last weekend, there's still hoppers on the Highwood
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2750.jpg (59.3 KB, 53 views)
__________________
the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten

instagram: @schrodo_of_the_shire
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:15 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.